ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING: An Approach for Characterizing Tropospheric Ozone Risk to Forests

/ The risk tropospheric ozone poses to forests in the United States is dependent on the variation in ozone exposure across the distribution of the forests in question and the various environmental and climate factors predominant in the region. All these factors have a spatial nature, and consequently an approach to characterization of ozone risk is presented that places ozone exposure-response functions for species as seedlings and model-simulated tree and stand responses in a spatial context using a geographical information systems (GIS). The GIS is used to aggregate factors considered important in a risk characterization, including: (1) estimated ozone exposures over forested regions, (2) measures of ozone effects on species' and stand growth, and (3) spatially distributed environmental, genetic, and exposure influences on species' response to ozone. The GIS-based risk characterization provides an estimation of the extent and magnitude of the potential ozone impact on forests. A preliminary risk characterization demonstrating this approach considered only the eastern United States and only the limited empirical data quantifying the effect of ozone exposures on forest tree species as seedlings. The area-weighted response of the annual seedling biomass loss formed the basis for a sensitivity ranking: sensitive-aspen and black cherry (14%-33% biomass loss over 50% of their distribution); moderately sensitive-tulip popular, loblolly pine, eastern white pine, and sugar maple (5%-13% biomass loss); insensitive-Virginia pine and red maple (0%-1% loss). In the future, the GIS-based risk characterization will include process-based model simulations of the three- to 5-year growth response of individual species as large trees with relevant environmental interactions and model simulated response of mixed stands. The interactive nature of GIS provides a tool to explore consequences of the range of climate conditions across a species' distribution, forest management practices, changing ozone precursors, regulatory control strategies, and other factors influencing the spatial distribution of ozone over time as more information becomes available.KEY WORDS: Ecological risk assessment; GIS; Ozone; Risk characterization; Forests; Trees     

Interventions for Reducing Extinction Risk in Chytridiomycosis‐Threatened Amphibians

Wildlife diseases pose an increasing threat to biodiversity and are a major management challenge. A striking example of this threat is the emergence of chytridiomycosis. Despite diagnosis of chytridiomycosis as an important driver of global amphibian declines 15 years ago, researchers have yet to devise effective large‐scale management responses other than biosecurity measures to mitigate disease spread and the establishment of disease‐free captive assurance colonies prior to or during disease outbreaks. We examined the development of management actions that can be implemented after an epidemic in surviving populations. We developed a conceptual framework with clear interventions to guide experimental management and applied research so that further extinctions of amphibian species threatened by chytridiomycosis might be prevented. Within our framework, there are 2 management approaches: reducing Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (the fungus that causes chytridiomycosis) in the environment or on amphibians and increasing the capacity of populations to persist despite increased mortality from disease. The latter approach emphasizes that mitigation does not necessarily need to focus on reducing disease‐associated mortality. We propose promising management actions that can be implemented and tested based on current knowledge and that include habitat manipulation, antifungal treatments, animal translocation, bioaugmentation, head starting, and selection for resistance. Case studies where these strategies are being implemented will demonstrate their potential to save critically endangered species. Intervenciones para Reducir el Riesgo de Extinción en Anfibios Amenazados por la Quitridiomicosis     

Characterizing ionic species in PM2:5 and PM10 in four Pearl River Delta cities, South China

PM_(2.5)and PM_(10)samples were collected at four major cities in the Pearl River Delta(PRD),South China,during winter and summer in 2002.Six water-soluble ions,Na~ ,NH_4~ ,K~ ,Cl~-,NO_3~- and SO_4~(2-)were measured using ion chromatography.On average,ionic species accounted for 53.3% and 40.5% for PM_(2.5)and PM_(10),respectively in winter and 39.4% and 35.2%,respectively in summer. Secondary ions such as sulfate,nitrate and ammonium accounted for the major part of the total ionic species.Sulfate was the most abundant species followed by nitrate.Overall,a regional pollution tendency was shown that there were higher concentrations of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium in Guangzhou City than those in the other PRD cities.Significant seasonal variations were also observed with higher levels of species in winter but lower in summer.The Asian monsoon system was favorable for removal and diffusion of air pollutants in PRD in summer while highly loading of local industrial emissions tended to deteriorate the air quality as well.NO_3~-/SO_4~(2-) ratio indicated that mobile sources have considerably contribution to the urban aerosol,and stationary sources should not be neglected. Besides the primary emissions,complex atmospheric reactions under favorable weather conditions should be paid more attention for the control of primary emission in the PRD region.     

大气低分子有机酸研究方法及其前沿问题

文章系统地阐述了大气有机酸的研究历史、现状和目前存在问题及可能取得研究进展的方法。低分子有机酸是大气中重要的微量挥发性有机碳组分,它们广泛存在于大气对流层中,对气候、环境和生态系统具有重要影响。长期以来,对大气有机酸的研究都是基于其含量的分析,尽管这一研究手段对有机酸的认识起到了推动作用,但含量的分析已越来越不能满足于当前人们对大气有机酸生物地球化学认识的需求。由于稳定同位素组成的示踪作用,近年来人们开始探索利用有机酸中碳同位素的测试分析方法来研究其循环过程。这一方法涉及水溶液中有机酸的萃取过程。由于其近发、半挥发性和其易污染性,常规的萃取方法不能应用于有机酸的萃取。最近出现的固相微萃取技术为有机酸碳同位素组成的准确分析研究提供了可能的途径。利用这一方法探索有机酸同位素组成的分析,有可能为大气有机酸生物地球化学循环研究开辟一片新的天地,从而使该领域研究向前推进一步。     

贵州省遵义地区降水中低分子有机酸及其来源

甲酸和乙酸是大气对流层中广泛存在的低分子有机酸.降水中有机酸的研究是认识C、H、O等元素生物地球化学循环和酸雨成因的重要内容.贵州省遵义地区是我国酸雨高发地区,在遵义市进行了为期1 a的降水采集,并利用离子色谱法和原子吸收法分别对降水中主要阴离子(包括有机和无机)和阳离子进行了测定.结果显示.pH的年均值为4.11,表明遵义市酸雨形势依然严峻;甲酸和乙酸的的雨量加权平均值分别为9.29 ìmol稬-1(范围:0.15～46.14 ìmol稬-1)和6.47ìmol!L-1(范围:0.02～19.11 ìmol稬-1),占阴离子总址的4.10%,二者的相天系数达到0.86.说明甲酸和乙酸具有共同的来源.在一次降雨事件中,有机酸的浓度一般随降雨时间的延长而降低,但在降雨中后期有时会出现上升的现象,表明有机酸主要来自云下淋滤作用,少数情况下来自大气远距离的传输.遵义市区的山间盆地地形、高湿度、低风速、以尘埃为主的大气污染物等特点为有机酸来源于当地创造了条件.应用气液平衡的原理,提出了降水中甲酸、乙酸比值(F/A)aq的有机酸来源判定方法.发现遵义降水中的有机酸春季和冬季主要来自人类活动的释放.夏季和秋季则主要来自植物的释放.     

中国西南喀斯特森林土壤有机碳空间变化及影响因素

喀斯特地区土壤碳储量及其影响因素的认识是评估我国陆地土壤生态系统碳汇能力不可或缺的内容。本文通过对中国西南北起秦岭北坡南至中越边境一条剖面上土壤有机碳的分析,研究了喀斯特森林0~10cm土壤有机碳空间变化及其控制因素。研究发现西南地区土壤有机碳含量和碳密度平均为32.3 g/kg和33.1t/hm2。无论是在整个西南区还是其省市范围内,二者均低于非喀斯特森林土壤。通径分析表明,影响喀斯特表层土壤碳含量和密度的主要因素有土壤容重、地形海拔和有机质C/N;粘粒含量和年平均气温的影响很小,而降水量仅在地处最北部的陕西省构成了土壤碳密度的影响因素。此现象与世界许多地区特别是高纬度地区形成鲜明对比。本研究结果表明,不同区域/气候带土壤碳库的主要影响因素会存在很大差异,这对认识气候变化背景下土壤碳库的反馈作用具有重要意义。     

Comparison of Three Extraction Methods for 17 β-Estradiol in Sand,Bentonite, and Organic-Rich Silt Loam

Extraction is an important procedure for samples that contain soil because other compounds in soil may affect analysis of estrogens. This study was conducted to evaluate three different extraction methods for 17β-estradiol in soil. Sand, bentonite, and organic-rich silt loam were spiked with 1 mg kg^{? 1} of 17β-estradiol as a model compound of estrogens. 17β-estradiol and its metabolites, estrone and estriol, were extracted using (i) a modified Bligh and Dyer extraction, (ii) a pressurized fluid extraction, and (iii) a diethyl ether extraction, and measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. There were significant differences in the extraction efficiency for 17β-estradiol among the extraction methods and the soils: the efficiencies ranged from 10% to 97%. Overall, the diethyl ether extraction method had the largest efficiency of 17β-estradiol with 45% and 57% for bentonite and silt loam, respectively. Transformation of 17β-estradiol to estrone and estriol in the different extraction methods was less than 3.6% during the extraction procedures. This study underlined the importance of sample preparation for estrogen analysis in soil samples.     

玉米秸秆生物炭对贵州黄壤持水能力的影响

生物炭具有丰富的微孔结构,能够影响土壤的持水性能,对植物生长和土壤中养分的保持有着重要意义。而土壤水分特征曲线又是表征土壤持水能力的一个重要指标。本文通过压力膜法测定添加不同比例生物炭的黄壤水分特征曲线,并结合van Genuchten模型对实测结果进行拟合,推导水动力学参数。结果表明,随着生物炭施入量的增加(0、5%、10%),土壤的田间持水量增加,凋萎含水量降低,土壤有效含水量增加。生物炭添加能够显著提高土壤的持水能力,增强水分的可利用性。同时,van Genuchten模型拟合结果同实测值高度相似,可以用作预测生物炭改良土壤的水动力学参数。     

我国海岸带环境灾害的基本特征与减灾对策

海岸带是自然灾害与社会经济发达区相互重叠的特殊环境地带.我国海岸带环境灾害的基本特征是种类繁多,频次高,破坏性强,与社会经济发展耦合,易形成复杂灾害链等.本文提出了基于可持续发展观点的、以工程建设与生态建设相结合、灾害区划与综合减灾相结合、基础研究与高科技应用相结合的减灾对策.     

中国中东部地区地表水环境锶元素地球化学特征研究

水环境中锶的含量及其变化、地理分布及其控制因素等特征的研究有助于认识区域水文地球化学特征及流域盆地岩石风化速率等地球化学行为,因此河流环境中锶的地球化学行为是地球化学研究的重要课题之一。对我国中东部地区部分河流水体中溶解态锶含量进行了分析研究发现,与世界上主要河流溶解态锶含量平均值0.078 mg/L相比,中国中东部地区河水中的锶含量(0.139 mg/L)明显偏高。分析研究表明,中国中东部地区河水中的锶主要源于蒸发盐岩和碳酸盐岩的风化作用,流域锶含量从南向北逐渐增加的现象主要受流域岩石或沉积物类型的控制,化学风化作用越强烈,河流锶含量越高。除了受区域岩性的影响外,气候条件对流域河水中的锶含量水平及地理分布起到一定的控制作用。